Member Since: 18 Feb 2018
Location: Manresa
Posts: 9
Noise like "cat's meowing" when turning the steering wheel.
Hi there,
I'd like you to help me solve a small problem on my D3. When turning the steering wheel, I hear a rubbing noise very similar to a "cat's meowing". It's like when two pieces of rubber rub together. I'm sure it's not the steering pump, because it also does it with the engine stopped. Also, the noise is heard right under the steering wheel.
I disassembled the steering wheel as far as I could and greased the ball bearing under the "clock spring" and sprayed silicone grease on some plastic moving parts of the "clock spring" and arround the shaft.
I also greased the steering column cardan, the one just above the pedals, as well as the rubber gasket where the steering column goes into the engine compartment.
Unfortunately, none of that fixed the problem. I suspect wear on some moving part of the "clock spring", but I would like to be sure before changing it, because it is very expensive and you have to be very careful to mount it in the correct position.
Has anyone had this problem? What was the solution?
Thanks in advance,
Peter
2nd Dec 2023 5:52 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10414
I was thinking the clock spring too.
2nd Dec 2023 8:51 pm
Carl and Petra
Member Since: 13 Feb 2015
Location: Hautes Pyrenees
Posts: 212
My D4 has been making that noise since we got it in 2015.
Just presumed it was up near the steering wheel itself and was plastics rubbing? It seems to change volume with ambient temperature so now it is winter it has gone.
2nd Dec 2023 9:07 pm
KPTV8
Member Since: 05 Feb 2012
Location: Itinerant !! (Scotland/Donegal)
Posts: 146
I've had similar in two of my D3s and my D4.
The noise is FAINT - in every case with my cars it's been the black plastic shroud surrounding the stalks, this rubs against the back of the steering wheel - the shroud plastic is fairly "bendy" and when it's removed then replaced it doesn't always take-up exactly the same shape and fit as when leaving the factory.
I first hit this issue when adding 'phone steering wheel switches to my first D3, the noises were absent before I started the job, and they appeared when I had finished the job.
Easy enough to test if YOUR noises are from that same source - slip a piece of soft cloth into the very narrow gap between the shroud and the steering wheel and see if the noise changes or vanishes ?
If I've not explained it properly above then please shout and I'll post a photo.
Cheers ))
5th Dec 2023 11:49 pm
Pere
Member Since: 18 Feb 2018
Location: Manresa
Posts: 9
Hi @KPTV8,
First of all, thanks for responding.
I've removed the pieces around the steering wheel several times (I also added the audio and cruise control switches to the steering wheel many years ago), but then I didn't notice anything. However, what you say may have happened to me. Unfortunately I don't know which piece you are referring to exactly. If you could post a photo I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance,
Peter
6th Dec 2023 7:26 am
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8143
Take the shroud off and see if it still does it, simples It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
6th Dec 2023 9:27 am
Pere
Member Since: 18 Feb 2018
Location: Manresa
Posts: 9
Hi @M3DPO
Are you referring to this plastic cover that is made of two pieces?
Or maybe this other rubber cover?
Thanks for your help,
Peter
6th Dec 2023 12:57 pm
Carl and Petra
Member Since: 13 Feb 2015
Location: Hautes Pyrenees
Posts: 212
I just squirted some silicone spray behind the steering wheel.
Noise all gone.
6th Dec 2023 5:00 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8143
Pete: yes, or silicone spray as above. It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
Are you referring to this plastic cover that is made of two pieces?
Or maybe this other rubber cover?
M3DPO wrote:
Yes.
Go on, tell us which one !
6th Dec 2023 7:43 pm
Darryl
Member Since: 20 Dec 2009
Location: oldbury West Midlands
Posts: 1209
I’ve had this issue on my D4 since I got it a few months ago, Seems to get worse after the car has been used for a while, Its Not too bad when it’s cold , Makes me think it’s some type of friction that’s worse when hotter and from more use , Does it more when using the steering a lot as when reversing into spaces
Might try the silicone
6th Dec 2023 8:49 pm
KPTV8
Member Since: 05 Feb 2012
Location: Itinerant !! (Scotland/Donegal)
Posts: 146
Click image to enlarge
Pere wrote:
Hi @KPTV8,
First of all, thanks for responding.
I've removed the pieces around the steering wheel several times (I also added the audio and cruise control switches to the steering wheel many years ago), but then I didn't notice anything. However, what you say may have happened to me. Unfortunately I don't know which piece you are referring to exactly. If you could post a photo I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance,
Peter
Hi Peter, sorry for delay, had winter lurgy and not been out to the car until today.
Here is photo of where I found odd squeeking (sp ?) noises were originating after fitting BT steering wheel switches. I just manipulated the neighbouring black plastic shileds/shrouds a bit until the noise cleared. Sometimes the noise comes back, I guess it's very slight movements due to to temperature changes and the plastic bits rub against each other.
Prob. a better solution is silicone grease or maybe just spray furniture polish in there.
I see others have posted since your query, sorry if my blurb duplicates good advice from those guys.
Thing with these cars (esp. with the V8 engines) is they're SO QUIET that faint noises, which in lesser cars would be smothered in the general boom/vroom when running, are heard more easily - the whole "silent ride" bar has been raised.
Cheers & good luck )))
8th Dec 2023 10:04 pm
KPTV8
Member Since: 05 Feb 2012
Location: Itinerant !! (Scotland/Donegal)
Posts: 146
Click image to enlarge
Pere wrote:
Hi @KPTV8,
First of all, thanks for responding.
I've removed the pieces around the steering wheel several times (I also added the audio and cruise control switches to the steering wheel many years ago), but then I didn't notice anything. However, what you say may have happened to me. Unfortunately I don't know which piece you are referring to exactly. If you could post a photo I would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance,
Peter
Hi Peter, sorry for delay, had winter lurgy and not been out to the car until today.
Here is photo of where I found odd squeeking (sp ?) noises were originating after fitting BT steering wheel switches. I just manipulated the neighbouring black plastic shileds/shrouds a bit until the noise cleared. Sometimes the noise comes back, I guess it's very slight movements due to to temperature changes and the plastic bits rub against each other.
Prob. a better solution is silicone grease or maybe just spray furniture polish in there.
I see others have posted since your query, sorry if my blurb duplicates good advice from those guys.
Thing with these cars (esp. with the V8 engines) is they're SO QUIET that faint noises, which in lesser cars would be smothered in the general boom/vroom when running, are heard more easily - the whole "silent ride" bar has been raised.
Cheers & good luck )))
8th Dec 2023 10:05 pm
Pere
Member Since: 18 Feb 2018
Location: Manresa
Posts: 9
Hi @KPTV8,
Thanks for posting the photo and for the new information. I'll try to put grease in that place as soon as possible and I'll tell you the result.
Regards.
18th Dec 2023 4:54 pm
Pere
Member Since: 18 Feb 2018
Location: Manresa
Posts: 9
Hi again,
Three days ago I sprayed a generous amount of silicone grease in that place, but nothing has changed, I still hearing the sound. I still thinking the issue is located in the "spring ring", so I'll try to remove and check it when I have enough time. I'll report the result when I do it.
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